Srinagar, Nov 2 (PTI) In a major feat, the Border RoadsOrganisation (BRO) has constructed the world's highestmotorable road in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, passingthrough Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.
The feat was achieved under 'Project Himank' of theorganisation.
Being close to Hanle, the 86km long strategic roadconnects Chisumle and Demchok villages, located 230 Kms fromLeh. These villages are stone's throw away from the Indo-Chinaborder in eastern sector, a spokesman of BRO said.
Felicitating the BRO personnel for completing theherculean task, Chief Engineer, Project Himank, BrigadierD M Purvimath, said constructing the road at the altitude ofover 19,300 feet was filled with life threatening challenges.
He said the climate at the location is always adverse forconstruction activities.
"During peak summers, temperature hovers around minus10-20 degrees Celsius, and in winters, it dips to minus 40degrees. Oxygen level at the altitude is 50 per cent less thanat normal places," Purvimath said.
"Efficiency of machines and manpower declines by 50 percent due to harsh climate and less oxygen level. Also, machineoperators have to come down every 10 minutes for oxygen," hesaid.
The brigadier said logistics was another major challengeat such an altitude.
"Taking equipment at such a height, repairing andmaintaining it is a major task since equipment face a lot ofbreakdowns," he said.
Purvimath said because of this gradation, the personnelfaced serious health problems like loss of memory, eyesightand high blood pressure.
“Such a construction does not come without a cost, butgiven the national and strategic importance of the road, ourmen and machinery worked overnight to meet the targets set outby Director General, Border Roads," he said.
Pardeep Raj, Commander 753 BRTF, who looks after roadconstruction of this sector, said the BRO personnel wereacclimatised through a tedious process and lot of trainingbefore being assigned the job.
"Acclimatisation of men is done at three stages- Leh,Shakti and Numa- before being inducted into the sector.
Physical and mental fitness of men is emphasised upon forworking in the area as the working season is limited in theregion," he said.
The Project Himank has already constructed roads likeKhardangu La at an altitude of 17,900 ft and Changla Pass at17,695 ft in Leh by connecting Nobra valley and Durbuk valleyin the cold desert. PTI MIJSRY.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
